Anyone having issues with their doodle listening less when outside. Coco used to listen so well.

[Nancy Pyzynski]

Coco seems to totally consumed by what she's smelling and hearing when she's outside lately.  We have an invisible fence and she used to just stay in the yard but as of late, she will bolt if she sees our neighbors dog across the street or smells something interesting like our cat in the neighbors yard or the kids playing.  She doesn't seem to be phased in the least that her collar is giving her the warning beep and goes right through the barrier.  She used to dart right back in to her "safe" zone before when the warning beep went off.

We are no longer allowing her to roam in our yard freely because we are concerned about her getting lost or hit by a car or even stolen.  Otherwise she is wonderful and smart, maybe too smart!

Has anyone had any experience with this.  Can we try retraining her with any success?  We really thought she knew the ropes.  We have a very natural landscape in our yard and neighborhood and don't really want to put up a fence but we may have to.  Has anyone tried putting their dog on a run with any luck.  It just seems so limiting. 

[Adina P]

She mentioned the tethering would only be done under supervision.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Honestly, I would tether her (and stay outside while she is tethered) or just make sure you are outside with her.  Also try retraining.  Of course you can have success with that.  These doodles are smart and it just takes consistent training.

 

Even when we are at my parent's house and the dogs have access to a fenced in yard, we don't let them out there for more than a few minutes without us watching or being outside with them.  We have a BIG problem with coyotes and hawks. Both worry me since I have a mini doodle and a teeny chihuahua. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would think that a coyote wouldn't be able to get over the fence unless it's low. But I would worry about the hawks. Since my "little" guy weighs about 42 pounds, I think my dogs are safe alone in the fenced yard but my ears are always tuned in and I do check often anyway.

[Becky & Sheeba]

Hi Nancy~ When it seemed Sheeba (she's 2 yrs old) was trained about staying on our property (acreage) we felt comfortable leaving her out back to play for awhile. After several months of this, one day she went out of her boundry chasing a jogger. I felt so horrible and couldn't believe she had gone past the boundry line. After that initial first trip ouside of her yard, she started doing it more regular, going to the bus stop on the corner, etc. Now, we only let her out when my husband or myself are outside with her. One trick we use while she is outside with us, is to make sure she has her favorite toy, her orange ball. This helps maintain her obediance somewhat. She's interested in chasing her ball and retrieving it back to us. If we happen to leave her outside for a short while, we make sure her ball is out with her, but we never leave her outside by herself for extended periods of time. I would like to eventually fence in part of our property, so she can go out and play for longer period of time. Good luck!

[Nancy Pyzynski]

I love this site!  Everyone has been so helpful and supportive.  I really do appreciate all the stories and great and helpful advise.  Thanks to you all!!